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Episode 4: The Call After Seeing Him
How much could I thank God for finally seeing Charles today? I still couldn't believe I had actually walked past him and exchanged a few words. My heart was pounding as if it had its own rhythm, and my mind kept replaying every single moment, every single detail of our encounter. Honestly, I didn't even know how I would have managed to start walking again after seeing him.
I had to compose myself, lift my chin, and carry the air of someone entirely confident, someone poised—like a runway model strutting in a fashion show. I started tiptoeing across my bedroom, glancing in the mirror, catwalking, just to feel a spark of control over my jittery nerves.
"Yes! Yes! Beth Anderson, you are too good, too beautiful, and completely unshakable," I whispered to myself, clapping my hands and collapsing dramatically onto my bed. I couldn't stop smiling. The sheer thought of Charles, his smile, the way he had looked at me—it made my stomach flutter in ways I hadn't felt before.
I hadn't even considered checking whether Harvey was around; my focus was entirely on my phone. I kept picking it up, placing it back, staring at it like it would magically ring the moment I dared to blink. And then, as if the universe had been listening, it did. My phone buzzed. I snatched it up immediately, almost trembling with anticipation, my heart racing faster than it had in years.
"Hello?" I breathed into the receiver, trying to sound casual, though my cheeks were already burning red.
"Hey beautiful. What are you doing right now?" His voice was calm, smooth, confident, and somehow entirely magnetic. I could feel the warmth of his presence just through the tone, and a soft shiver ran down my spine.
"Nothing, just lying on the bed," I replied, trying to sound relaxed, even though my pulse was racing.
"Alright. Are you home alone, or do you mind if I come over?" There was an ease in his voice, a casual confidence that made my chest tighten. I wanted to say yes immediately, but my pride, or maybe my sense of decorum, held me back. I couldn't let him see just how eager I was.
"I'm with my sister," I lied smoothly, keeping my voice calm, even though I had no idea where Harvey was at that exact moment.
"Oh, just kidding. I'm exhausted from work. I'm about to make something to eat, actually. I'm in the kitchen." His words were casual, but somehow they made my heartbeat quicken.
"In the kitchen? You cook?" I asked, unable to mask my surprise.
"Of course I do. Or do you want to test me? I can make anything edible, so don't try me," he laughed lightly, and I couldn't help but smile at the sound. There was a playful confidence in him that was impossible to ignore.
"Says who? You're probably exaggerating. Come on, tell me what you're about to make. I bet it won't pass noodles," I teased, teasing him back just to match his tone, even though the thought of him cooking made my stomach do a somersault.
"Noodles? That's just a starter. Actually, I made a vegetable stew yesterday, so now I'm making rice to go with it," he replied, a little chuckle in his voice.
"Vegetable stew? Really? Is that something your girlfriend or your sister made? You're totally exaggerating," I said, laughing softly, though I had no real evidence of anything.
"Girlfriend? You mean me? No, you're my girlfriend, and you haven't cooked for me yet. My sister and I live separately, so yes, I made it myself." His tone was light and teasing, but there was an undertone of pride in his words.
"You know what? Let's have a cooking competition this weekend," he added confidently.
"Hmm, testing me, huh? No worries, I accept. Challenge accepted!" I said, smiling wide. There was a thrill in the idea of a friendly competition with him, something personal yet innocent that made my heart flutter.
"So, what should we cook?" I asked curiously, leaning back against my pillows, imagining what a cooking duel with Charles might look like.
"I'll pick an intercontinental dish and let you know later. My place or yours?" His question was casual, yet I felt a rush of excitement at the thought of spending that time with him.
"Your place is better. I'll come over then, but you're choosing the intercontinental dish? Why can't it be something simpler?" I asked, already imagining a cozy Saturday filled with laughter, cooking mishaps, and playful banter.
"Don't tell me you're scared," he laughed loudly, the sound so contagious I had to giggle. "Anything you want, or I can get something I know you'd enjoy," he continued.
"So you think you already know what I like?" I teased, smiling at the warmth in his voice.
"Looking at you, seeing how beautiful you are, I already know," he said confidently, and I felt my cheeks heat up despite myself. "Trust me on this."
"Okay, 50% trust. I'm not sure you really know me yet. Maybe we should go shopping together and I'll decide if you're worthy of that claim," I teased back, my mind racing with images of us wandering through an American grocery store or a boutique market, laughing, teasing, and maybe stealing glances at one another.
"Nope, I'm going alone. I'll pick you up on the way back. I don't want you asking someone else for help," I added with a playful smirk, asserting some control over the situation.
"No problem. Anything for you, babe," he replied warmly, the tone of his voice melting some of the tension in my chest.
"After a long day at work, you come home and cook again? Why not grab takeout?" I asked, trying to reason logically even though I knew part of me was thrilled by his confidence in his own cooking.
"Takeout? Sometimes, but I prefer cooking myself. I do it better," he chuckled, the pride clear in his voice.
"You're too full of yourself, claiming to cook better. We'll see about that," I teased, rolling my eyes and smiling, imagining the playful banter that would inevitably follow.
"My food is ready. Want to join?" he asked, his tone casual yet inviting.
"I'm fine, I already ate. Thanks, though. I'll talk to you later," I said, trying to sound nonchalant while my heart felt like it was floating.
"Okay, no problem. I love you already," he said, and I couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking my head at the intensity of my own feelings.
I put the phone down, letting out a deep breath, my mind still swirling with the thrill of our conversation. Every word, every laugh, every tease replayed endlessly in my head. I realized just how deeply I had started to feel for him, how quickly my heart had become entangled in this unexpected connection.
I lay back against the pillows, closing my eyes for a moment, letting the emotions wash over me. I could feel the warmth of excitement, nervous anticipation, and something more tender stirring inside me. This was new. This was thrilling. This was… love.
I couldn't help but smile to myself, imagining our Saturday cooking, the laughter, the teasing, and the small, intimate moments that could turn into memories I'd cherish forever. It was all so fast, yet it felt incredibly right, as if the universe had conspired to bring us together in this small, perfect way.
I realized that for weeks, I had been walking tirelessly, hoping, wishing, almost doubting that I'd get this chance. And now, sitting here, feeling his words echo in my heart, I understood just how much it had been worth it. Every anxious thought, every restless night, every fleeting moment of hope—all of it had led to this.
I laughed softly at myself, shaking my head. I had to remind myself to breathe, to let the moment sink in fully, to savor it. How often did life give you these little glimpses of happiness, these quiet moments that left your heart racing, your cheeks warm, and your mind spinning with possibilities?
I realized then that I was finally experiencing something I had longed for without even knowing I had been waiting. Something tender, something new, something thrilling—and entirely mine to enjoy.
I couldn't wait to see him again, to continue our playful exchanges, to discover the little things about him that made my heart skip beats. And as I lay there, the reality of my feelings settling gently but unmistakably, I knew one thing with absolute certainty: I was finally in love.
Oh… someone is finally in love, and I hadn't even realized it until this very moment.
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